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African manatee
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==Evolution and legends== The West African manatee is a descendant of trichechids found in coastal South America during the [[Pliocene|Pliocene Epoch]]. Although they tend to stay in freshwater, theory suggests that, through transoceanic currents, the species reached West Africa during the late Pliocene.<ref>{{Citation| last = O'Shea| first = Thomas J.| title = Manatees| journal = Scientific American| pages = 66–72| date = July 1994| volume = 271| issue = 1| doi = 10.1038/scientificamerican0794-66| pmid = 8066426| bibcode = 1994SciAm.271a..66O| url = http://faculty.bennington.edu/~sherman/the%20ocean%20project/manatees.pdf| url-status = live| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304052412/http://faculty.bennington.edu/~sherman/the%20ocean%20project/manatees.pdf| archive-date = 2016-03-04}}</ref> The West African manatee's appearance is thought to be the result of these currents and species movement. The African manatee's ancestors passed down advantageous migration and food traits. The African manatee is not restricted to a certain area, and does not have to rely heavily on only one ecosystem for support. This evolution of the African manatee's diversity may be part of its key attribute to survival. They are more diverse than other manatees due to their ability to survive in salt water, although they do need access to fresh water for drinking purposes.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.bioexpedition.com/african-manatee/|title=African Manatee - Animal Facts and Information|website=www.bioexpedition.com|date=30 October 2012 |access-date=2016-11-23|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161123133045/http://www.bioexpedition.com/african-manatee/|archive-date=2016-11-23}}</ref> According to people of western Africa, ''Maame'' ''Water'' (also spelled ''[[Mami Wata]]''), a recurring character in many coastal legends, is a goddess of the sea and a symbol of wealth and beauty. ''Maame'' ''Water'' also flips over canoes and entices their occupants to visit her kingdom. Scientists from the Institute of Aquatic Biology of the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Wildlife Department in Ghana have concluded that ''Maame'' ''Water'' is based on the West African manatee. According to Dr. [[Mamaa Entsua-Mensah]], who performs research for CSIR, when female African manatees surface for air, they resemble goddesses. Entsua-Mensah explains that the female manatee's breasts create the illusion of a woman-fish.<ref>{{cite web| title = West African Manatee| publisher = Sirenian International, Inc| year = 2002| url = http://www.sirenian.org/westafrican.html| access-date = January 8, 2011| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110528195710/http://www.sirenian.org/westafrican.html| archive-date = 2011-05-28}}</ref> Among the [[Serer people]] of Senegal, the Gambia and Mauritania, the manatee is regarded as sacred and highly respected, because in the [[Serer creation myth]], it is viewed as the guardian of the secrets of the future.<ref>Senghor, Léopold Sédar, "Chants d'ombre" [in] "Selected poems of LEOPOLD SEDAR SENGHOR", CUP Archive, pp. 103, 125</ref>
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